DARTS expert expert Kyle Brown (@Kyleianbrown) talks us through the second week of Premier League action, picking out his favourite fancies.
Week 2 – Thursday 14th February 2019 | Glasgow
- Peter Wright (9/5 Boylesports) v Michael Smith (6/5 Coral)
- Rob Cross (23/20 Boylesports) v James Wade (2/1 Spreadex)
- Raymond van Barneveld (15/8 Betfair) v Gerwyn Price (6/5 William Hill)
- Daryl Gurney (8/5 Unibet) v Glen Durrant (7/5 Bet365)
- Mensur Suljovic (13/2 Betfair) v Michael van Gerwen (4/11 Spreadex)
*Predicted winners in bold, neither indicates draw.
The Week 2 Betting Angle
Well Mensur Suljovic is off the Christmas card list.
After needing him to win last week to complete the 3/1 double, he implodes and finds himself 5-1 down to one-week-only guest Chris Dobey.
Mensur then hits sparkling form, going 6-5 up and has a dart to win the match and snatch the points… he misses, and Dobey checks out 45 to earn a respectable draw.
But yes, I’m still bitter.
Barney to continue his slump to retirement
Looking for value brings us again to a match featuring Raymond van Barneveld, and again backing his opponent. While I have nothing again Barney, his average of 95.15 and checkout % of 30.8 were the lowest of any competitor last week, which is enough for me to double down on my prediction that he will finish bottom this year.
Not only was Barney poor, but Gerwyn Price played his very best, and without controversy too. He was underdog to world #5 Daryl Gurney, but delivered with an assuring 7-4 performance that included 6 180’s. I fancy him to continue his Premier League momentum and make it two wins from two.
Barney has now only won two of his last nine competitive matches – I expect this to be two of 10 come Thursday night with Price a play at 6/5 (William Hill). I’ll also take him to hit the first 180 at evens with SkyBet.
Gurney to find his scoring form
Secondly, I like the look of Daryl Gurney to hit the most 180’s (7/5 Betfred) in his match-up against three-time BDO champion Glen Durrant.
Surprisingly to me, Gurney comes into this match as underdog, despite making the finals of the tournament last year – but of all the nine one-week competitors, Gurney has certainly drawn one of the shorter straws. While I do think he is good value for the win, last week taught me not to underestimate the players with nothing to lose.
I’ll instead look for Gurney to bounce back from his defeat last week and improve on his high scoring. He only hit one 180 last week which was poor, but he led the regular season table for 180’s in last year’s Premier League, so the ability is certainly there.
He’s above even money and I expect him to deliver.
Best Bets
Raymond van Barneveld v Gerwyn Price – Gerwyn Price to win (6/5 William Hill)
Raymond van Barneveld v Gerwyn Price – Gerwyn Price first 180 (1/1 SkyBet)
Daryl Gurney v Glen Durrant – Daryl Gurney to hit most 180’s (7/5 Betfred)
